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"It’s settled, then," Glen said, "your ed You knohat this randparents and aunts and uncles that you’ll need to ently

The phone pealed just then and Jody knew in her heart that it was herherself, she stood and reached for the phone

Her guess was accurate

"I want to apologize for our conversation the other night," Gloria said, sounding cal in her ret," Jody assured her "This is a difficult ti, my dear Life couldn’t be more beautiful Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, and more so now than ever before"

"Mine too Remember the year you joined Timmy and me We wish your health was better so you could travel more"

"Jeff always enjoyed the holidays," she said

Discussing her dead husband just then, ement to anotheryou should know," she said quickly "So wonderful has happened and other than Timmy you’re the first one to hear" She didn’t ement like this, but she couldn’t think of any other way to divert Gloria frohtly so"

"I told you earlier I’d ment but none came "We decided ant to be married," Jody said, "and have set the date for January"

"Married!" Gloria shrieked "But you can’t, you can’t! What about Jeff?"

"If Jeff were alive ouldn’t he contact me or Timmy?" she asked reasonably

"He’s been very sick and weak I haven’t talked to hi and asking about you and Tiiveto and I’ll contact hi he’s said is true, I swear it’s true, Jeff’s alive You’ve got to believe ement before Jeff learns you’re involved with another man"

"Moently reminded her

It was as if Gloria hadn’t heard her "What am I supposed to tell my son when he phones? I deed your mind No, no, I’ll tell him for you He’ll listen to me"

"Mo

Glen was standing next to her then, his arm around his shoulder Gently he took the receiver from her hand, and explained that he was theNaturally she couldn’t hear her former mother-in-law’s response

Jody turned into his arm and buried her face in his shoulder

"Grand up the receiver

Jody was tre too hard to respond Glen continued to hold her, patting her back "Your grandmother wants it to be true so badly that she’s convinced herself your father is still alive," Glen explained, when it was apparent Jody was in no condition to do so

Soh the three of the to make a festive occasion of it Glen tried the hardest Timmy made an effort as well, and Jody too, however feeble She was grateful when Glen clai on the brief for an i the table

Jody walked him to the door "I’ his forehead to hers "We’ll get through this" He wrapped his arently

Jody let hiht He was a good reat passion for hih to know about love from Jeff Love wasn’t the reason she and Glen had decided to oals, and were coes had far less

"I’m done with my homework," Timmy said some ti out Christmas cards She was later than usual this year

"Are you telling everyone about Glen?" Ti He reached for the top card and read her brief note

"No"

"Why not?"

"I thought we’d send out announcements later I’ve already mailed out half my cards and it doesn’t seem fair that half my friends know and half don’t"

Ti made perfect sense to him He plopped his elbows on the table and tucked his chin in his hands as he watched her work

"You knohat I wish?"

"What?" she asked absently, thinking he was about to add another item to his detailed Christmas list

"I hat Grandma Potter said was true I wish htened around the pen "I do too, sweetheart"